Bible in the first place #3/3

Following a Master teacher or human scholar?

Men’s words

Archaeologist Sir Charles Marston in his book ‘The Bible Is True’ said, we are too quick to “accept without a murmur many of the speculations of modern writers” who attacked the integrity of the Bible. This is still be true today. It would be foolish​—if not fatal—​to ignore God‘s Wisdom and to go on the so called wisdom of men. The extent to which you let the many biblical writings be a real influence in guiding your actions and forming your beliefs will be greatly diminished if you view it simply as the words of men rather than the Word of God.​

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you received \@it\@ not \@as\@ the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJBPNV)

People would be better off to take some more time to consider the evidence that supports the Bible’s claim to be “inspired of God.” Instead of only reading lots of theological or Christian magazines, they’ll better also should take some time to read the Real Book of Books, the Bible.

Looking at all the works on Christianity and faith we must consider that they always are products of many minds and many generations.

Honest scholarship

We are indebted, for example, to honest scholarship that has helped us to identify the original text of the Bible. Clearly, minor mistakes did creep into the text of the Bible as it was copied and recopied over the centuries. Remember, though: There is a big difference between recognizing that minor mistakes crept into copies of the Bible text and dismissing the whole Bible as a human fabrication.

Clearly, also the works of many sincere human scholars can help us to study the Bible. Concordances are beyond of question of indisputable value for the study of God’s Word.

Also very important is to have some dictionaries at hand, so that as you study and you encounter words (in a bible translation) that you don’t understand or of which you have doubts of the meaning, your dictionary will help you find the literal meaning of each word,that would help you understand the text,you are reading.

God also still uses humans to deliver His word. There may be many writers who are willing to let God’s Word shine in glory. God still delivers His Word to humans. Human minds hear and understand the word from God, and then another set of human minds receive it from those human mouths and again hear and understand it. That is the evangelism of which the Bible speaks.

True scholars try to make sense out of what they read and hear. We can only hope that God shall enabled those who really want to discover the Truth about God, to see who is who and what happened in the past and shall happen in the future.

Reproof

As the Bible is profitable for teaching, for reproof or convincing we should give our ears and eyes to that evidence the Word of God gives. Only by giving ourself in the hands of Jehovah God, accepting His Word for correction, we can find correction of error, re-setting the direction of our life, and training in doing what is right.

English: The Bible (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Studying the Bible can give us proof or evidence of the things happening. It should by studying it give us the confidence in the things we hope for. It means being certain of things we cannot see.

Let us follow the instruction in righteousness and share this discipline that is in righteousness, informing each other of our findings, but always proving it by the Word of God.

Reliability

There is nothing, no one in this world more reliable than God or his Word. You can trust Him any time, any day and you will not regret it.

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: has he said, and shall he not do it? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19 KJBPNV)

God’s Word is the only perfect word in the world. We best trust Him the most. So whenever you hear people talking about faith matters or the Bible, do take your Bible with you and compare that what they are saying with what is written in the Holy Scriptures.

To Remember

“9 Remember the former things of old: for I \@am\@ God, and \@there is\@ none else; \@I am\@ God, and \@there is\@ none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times \@the things\@ that are not \@yet\@ done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJBPNV)

“Now all these things happened to them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJBPNV)

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke \@as they were\@ moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21 KJBPNV)

“26 For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, \@are called\@: 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, \@yes,\@ and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are you in the Messiah Yahshua, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord [Yahweh].” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 KJBPNV)

“And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Yahshua the Messiah, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 KJBPNV)

“6 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: 7 And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJBPNV)

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HISTORY IT HAS BEEN SAID, IS PHILOSOPHY TEACHING BY EXAMPLE; History is not simply a record of man's accomplishments. Even more, History is the story / record of God's interaction with man. It is indeed His Story ~ CJD